Roll support for textile apparatus



July 12, 1960 J. 1.. BLALOCK 2, 4

ROLL SUPPORT FOR TEXTILE APPARATUS Filed Nov. 14, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 XII l .9" 20 j 20 A 35 3? I 5?: I,

INVENTOR: IAMEs L. BLALOCK ATTORNEYS July 12, 1960 J BLALOCK 2,944,301

ROLL SUPPORT FOR TEXTILE APPARATUS Filed Nov. 14, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. l lg'-%- JAMEs L. BLALOCH BY at, mw+w I ATTORNEYS 2,944,301 ROLL SUPPORT FOR TEXTILE APPARATUS I James Blalock, Gastonia, N.C., assignor to Piedmont Machine Shop, Inc., Gastonia, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina 1 Filed Nov. 14, 1958, Ser. No. 773,888

lrclaimsr (Cl. 19-134 This invention relates to "textile apparatus and more particularly to an improvement in a. roll support for the top and bottom drawing rollsin textile "apparatus such as drawing frames and the like. I I

In the production offtextile materialsuch asnyarng' roller draw ng is an'essential step, in many of the'poperations performed on textile fibers as; they-v are processed into an end product. As is well known in the roller -drawing process, a rope or strand of textile fibers, which may be in a form commonly referred to as'. sliver, roving, or the like, is drawnbetweentwo or;more pairs of spaced rolls driven at progressivelyincreasing speeds so that parallelization of the fibers is obtained and the strand is reduced to a suitable size for spinning. In one widely used type of drawing rolls, the rolls are composed of metal and are provided with flutes. Thus, each pair of rolls consisting of a top and a bottom roll may be 'United- States Patent thermore, this wear on the collars is not uniform between all of the roll collars and misalignment between. rolls would eventually occur resulting in improper driving of the rolls. and the need for periodic maintenance and replacement. 7

In order to obviate some of the problems discussed above, it has been proposed to utilize bushings or bearings for each end of the top and bottom rolls to reduce friction and, by stacking the bearing housings in overlying relationship on the stand, transmit the-load of the top rolls through the bearing housingsv to the roll stand.

This, of course, means that considerable increase in cost,

, infthe direction of sliver advance, an additional cost and stocking problem is presented with the use of the stacked bearings as hearing housings of varying sizes must be provided in order to obtain-the proper vertical spacing vertically spaced with their flutes in meshing engagement so as to nip the strand of fiber or ,sliver passing there: through as it advances to the next pair of rolls. The top and bottom rolls in each pair are appropriately spaced vertically with their flutes meshed to such an extent that the fibers of which the sliver is composed are securely held without being injured. 'The top andbottom rolls are supported for rotation in this predetermined spaced relationship by a support referred to generally as a roll stand positioned atfeach end of the rolls.

In a typical drawing frame, a plurality of bottom rolls are generally'interconnected in axially aligned end-toend relationship at spaced intervals along the frame by roll necks supported by the roll stand and each of the bottom rolls cooperates with a top roll rotatably supported at each end in the roll stand. The bottom rolls are driven by any suitable well-known means and the top rolls are yieldingly maintained in the predetermined spaced relationship with the bottom rolls with their flutes in the proper meshing engagement by suitable means such as springs, weights, and the like.

In one well-known arrangement for maintaining the spaced relationship between the top and bottom rolls in each pair, cooperating collars are provided on the rolls on each side of the flutes. As the bottom roll is rotatably supported by the roll stand, the top roll is therefore sup ported by the collars which are of a diameter suflicient to maintain the rolls in the properly spaced relationship during rotation. However, the substantial weight imposed on the top roll by the roll weights is transferred in each roll pair; V V r sccordingly;v a primary object of the invention is to provide a new and improved roll support for the top and bottom drawing rolls in textile apparatus such as drawing frames and the like.

vAnother object of this'invention is to provide a new and improved roll support for the drawing rolls in textile apparatus such as drawing frames and the like in which substantially all of the weight. imposed on the top rolls f is carried by a roll stand independently of the bottom rolls.

. A further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved roll support for each pair of drawing rolls tains the top and bottom rolls in a predetermined vertithrough these collars to the bottom roll and in turn to the bearing surfaces on the stand sothat ,wear on the bearing surfaces is rapid and the amountcf power .re- I quired to drive the rolls is increased considerably.

Further problems are. encountered with the use of such I ofthe top roll weight and permitstthe roll stand itself 'to provide a beajrling .surfaceforthe roll neck of the collars in that as they are exposed to grit and similar abrasive material typically encountered, in a drawing op eration. This grit, sandwiched between the rolling contact surfaces of the collars, abrades the collar surface's so that the collars themselves became worn with an at.- tendant change in the spacing in the-pair of rolls. Furcally spaced relationship during prolonged use and which permits this roll spacing tobe predetermined in a simple and easy manner.

This invention further contemplates the provision of a new and novel roll support for textile apparatus such as a drawing frame or the like in which a roll stand is provided having bearing surfaces for rotatably supporting the roll necks interconnecting the bottom rolls and which accommodates the bearings on the ends of the associated top rolls while rigidly supporting these bearings so that the top rolls are maintained in the desired spaced relationship with the bottom rolls regardless of the weight imposed on the top rolls by the roll weights while imposing" none of such load on the bottom rolls.

; Still another object of the inventionis to provide a new and novel roll stand for a pair of drawing rolls in a drawing frame and the like which relieves the bottom rolls bottom rolls without the need of inserts or-the like.

lA still further object of the invention is to provide a new. and improved-roll support for the drawing rolls in a drawing frame or the like. which permits the vertical I spacing of each pair of rolls to be progressively increased Patented Jul 12,1960

a,944,so1

between successively spaced pairs of rolls in a predetermined manner? M "In'general, the objects of the invention and other related objects are accomplished by providing a roll stand formed of cast iron or the like having an upwardly openirig', U-shape d recess extending therethrough. The reces's is provided with an 'arcuate bottom wall which forms a bearing surface for rotatably supporting the roll neck of the bottom rolls of vertically'spaced drawing rolls which in the specific embodiment are of conventional fluted construction with their flutes arranged in meshing engagement. The roll stand is also provided with support means which are positioned in spaced apart relatio'nshiup with the roll neck for rotatably supporting one end or a pair of opposed ends of top rolls in axial alignment with the bottom rolls. Therefore, the top rolls are yieldingly maintained in' a predetermined spaced relationship with the bottom rolls by conventional roll weights or the like, the force of which is transmitted through the support means to the roll stand without loading the bottom rolls.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying draw ings, in which Figure l is a plan view, partially broken away, of a drawing frame which incorporates the invention;

' Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantialeter to form annular shoulders 21 so that the axially aligned bottom rolls in each delivery are interconnected in'the endwise relationship illustrated.

The portion 20 is commonly referred to as a roll neck. Thus the bottom rolls in each laterally aligned pair of rolls are arranged on a common axis in a one piece construction and may be collectively driven as a unit by any suitable means designated broadly by the numeral 22 positioned at one end of the drawing frame of Figure l. The top rolls' 11 are unconnected and are supported in accordance with the novel construction of the invention. Furthermore, the top rolls are weighted by means of roll weights (not shown) carried by removable weight hooks 23 hung from the top rolls in the manner shown in Figure 3. V V

In order to support the top and bottom rolls 11, 12; rotatably in the operating position, roll stands designated broadly by the numeral 24, are provided which are arranged at each end of each pair of rolls as shown in Figure 1. In the specific embodiment illustrated, four of such roll stands havebeen provided which correspond to the four pairs of top and bottom rolls 11, 1 2 in each delivery id. Three of the stands 24 shown in Figure 2 are substantially identical in construction while the front ly along line 22' of Figure 1 in the direction of the arrows; v

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3- -3 of Figure 2 in the direction ofthe arrows;

Figure 4'is a sectional view taken substantially along line H of Figure 3 in the direction of the arrows; and

' Figure 5 is an exploded, isometric view of a roll stand constructed in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to the drawings and to Figured in particular, there is shown one type of textile apparatus which is provided with roll supports constructed in ac cordance with the invention. The textile apparatus of Figure l is of the type generally known as a drawing frame by means of which a rope or strand of fibrous textile material, one form of which is known as sliver, is attenuated or reduced in size with a simultaneous paralleling of the fibers of which the sliver is composed. It should be understood that while the invention is shown employed on a drawing frame, it may be used on any type of textile apparatus which employs drawing rolls such as sliver lappers, ribbon lappers, roving frames, spinning frames and the like.

As is well known, a plurality of slivers are fed into the apparatus of Figure 1 in the direction of the arrow I so that the slivers pass successively through the nip or bite of a plurality of suitably spaced pairs of vertically spaced top and bottom rolls 11, 12;, which are rotated at progressively increasing speeds in the direction of sliver movement so as' to carry out the drawing operation on the slivers. Four of such successively spaced pairs of top and bottom rolls are shown in the drawing frame of Figure 1 all of which are supported on a frame member or roll beam 13. The spaced pairs of rolls extend in multiplicity of groups or deliveries designated generally by the numeral 14 laterally across the drawing frame as viewed in Figure l. The drawn sliver then passes through a trumpet 15 and cooperating calender rolls 16 for subsequent deposition within a container (not shown) commonly referred to'as a can positioned beneath the calenderrolls.

In the embodiment illustrated, the top and bottom rolls 11, 12 are composed of metal and are preferably of the fluted type with flutes 17, 18, respectively, which'interengage or mesh in the welhknown manner as shown stand 24' may be thickened as shown best in Figure 2 by reason of such factors asconvenience, strength and the like. i

In order to properly position the stands 24,24 in the desired spaced relationship, each of the stands are provided with a guide slot 26 within its bottom wall which is arranged to slidably accommodate guide rails 27 positioned on the roll beam 13 and-preferably formed integral therewith as shown in Figures 3, 5. The rails 27 define therebetween a slot or passage, 29 for accommodating stand retaining means such as bolt 31 inserted therethroughand arranged-to be threadably received within "an upwardly extending, threaded bore 32 in the bottom wall of each of the stands. When the bolts 31 I are loosened, the stands 24, 24 may be moved along best in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 3, the bottom rolls 7 12 are provided with end portions of reduced diameter 33 w c a e cemen y Q P P r t r s a e the guide rails'27 and adjustably spaced in the direction of sliver movement in the manner shown in Figure 2 and held fixedly therein when the-bolts are tightened. It will be noted in Figure 2 that the spacing between the stands 24, 24' is progressively decreased in the direction of sliver movement indicated by the letter "I in the manner shown in Figure 2 so as to compensate for the decrease in bulk or density of the sliver occurring during the drawing process.

In order to rotatably support the rolls ll, 12, each of the stands 24, 24 is provided with a recess 33 extending through the stand and preferably U-shaped so as to open upwardly as shown best in Figures 2, 5. The recess 33 is therefore provided with oppositely disposed side walls 34 and an arcuate bottom wall 35 which is suitably dimensioned radially so as to serve as a friction bearing and to rotatably accommodate the roll neck'Zt) in frictional engagement therewith. The stands 24, 24' are also employed to support the terminal ends of the rolls at each end of the frame of Figure l in a similar manner as can be readily understood by the detailed description which follows.

As shown best in Figure 3, the recess bottom wall 35 thus forms a bearing surface for the neck 25? so that the bottom rolls '12 may be drivably rotated and supported with a minimum of friction. However, if desired, a bearing insert, a lubricant reservoir, or the like may be employed within the recess bottom Wall 35 to further reduce the friction between the rotating roll neck 2i and the supporting surface of the recess bottom wall. lnorder to prevent axial movement of the bottom rolls 12, the .length'of the roll neck 20 is selected so that theshoulders lll formed between the neck 20 and the roll portions 19 are positioned flush with the end walls 36 (Figure 5) ofthe stands '24, 24 in the manner shown and thus securely position the bottom rolls 12 against any axial movement. 7

As has been previously discussed, the top and bottom rolls 11, 12, in a drawing frame such as shown in Figure l are verticallyspaced so that their flutes 17, 18 engage or mesh in the well-known manner and nip or securely grip the sliver advancing between each pair of rolls. As iswell-known, in drawing frames of the type referred to, this meshing of the flutes on the top and'bottom rolls must be of a limited extent in order to avoid damage to the fibers in the sliver and therefore impose a need for limiting the spacing between the rolls to; a predetermined minimum. This spacing is generally maintained by yieldingly maintaining the top roll'll by means of weights or the like against a non-yielding support which in prior construction was the bottom roll itself. Thus, the weights permit the top rolls to riseas the sliver, or thick places therein, pass between the top and bottom rolls. As previously explained, this, loading of the bottom rolls increased, to an tmdesirable degree, the wear and tear on the cooperating parts creating the nany problems discussed above.

As specifically illustrative of the inventiongsupport means have been provided for rotatably supporting the top rolls 11 which permit the top rolls to be yieldingly maintained in a predetermined spaced relationship with the bottom rolls 12 so that the bottom rolls are maintained substantially free of the Weight of the top rolls. More specifically, as shown best in Fig. 5, the end walls 36 of the roll stands 24, 26 are cut away at each end to form spaced ledges or shoulders 37, 38 adjacent each end of the U-shaped recess 33'. These shoulders 37, 38 are arranged to accommodate a flat support member or pressure plate designated broadly by the numeral 39 and preferably I-shaped as shown. The pressure plate 39 therefore comprises a central portion 41 and integrally formed tabs 42, 43 extending laterally outward on each side adjacent each end respectively. 7

The central portion 41 of the pressure plate 39 is suitably dimensioned so as to fit snugly between the spaced side walls 34 of the recess 33 with the tabs 42, 43 supportedly engaging shoulders 37, 38. The plate 39 therefore extends Within the recess 33 in a substantially horizontal plane in spaced overlying relationship with the neck 20 of the bottom rolls 12.

The top roll support means also includes means for rotatably supporting each of the top rolls 11 for free rotation in a substantially frictionless manner and as shown in Fig. 3, the roll is provided at each end with a portion of reduced diameter 44 on which is mounted an axially extending stub shaft or spindle 46. Each spindle 46 is arranged to be rotatably positioned within the bore 47 of a bushing or bearing 48 of any wellknown construction which preferably contains needle bearings, roller bearings or the like (not shown) so'that the spindle 46 and consequently the roll 11 is supported for rotation with a minimum of friction.

As shown in Figures 2, 3, each bearing 48 contains oppositely disposed flats 51 on its peripheral surface which permit the bearing to be snugly positioned between the side walls 34 of the recess 33 and in the assembled position, the underside of the bearing rests on the upper surface of the pressure plate39 which supports the combined weight of the bearings 48, the'top rollsll, and the additional weight imposed on the top rolls by the weight on the weight hooks 23. As can be seen best in Figure 2, the interengaging bearing flats 51 and the side walls 34 of recess 33 prevent rotation of the bearing while the plate 39 supports the bearings .48 so that the top roll 11 is free to rotate in its suitably spaced relationship with the associated bottom roll 12. y

In order to yieldingly maintain each bearing 48 against the pressureplate 39 and therefore maintain the top roll in the'predetermined spaced relationship with its bottom roll each bearing is provided in the well-known manner with a cavity 52 for accommodating the upper end of the weight hooks 23, the lower end of which carries the roll weights as previously explained. The bearing 48 and consequently the top roll is heavily weighted as to yieldingly restrain any upward movement of the top roll during the drawing operation carried out on the sliver advancing through the nip of the rolls. In this manner, therefore, the loading force exerted by the roll weights on the top rolls 11 is transmitted through they bearings 48 to the pressure plate 39 and in turn to the stands 24, 24 so that the bottom'rolls 12 may rotate freely on the stands with virtually no pressure being imposed thereon. The friction and consequently the wear between the roll neck 20 and the supporting bearing surface in the recess bottom wall 35 is therefore kept to a minimum. Some weight, of course, may be imposed on the lower roll 12 as a result of the sliver advancing through the nip of the top and bottom rolls but this is consideredflnegligible from the standpoint of wear. j

The thickness of the pressure plate 39 together with the height at which the shoulders 37, 38;are positioned, as has been previously discussed, are selected was to determine the proper spacing between the rolls 11, 12. In the practical commercial embodiment of roll stands 24, 24 the height ofthe shoulders 37, 38 is uniform throughout the stands and therefore by the selection of pressure plates 39 of a predetermined thickness, the spacing between the top and bottom rolls may consequently be varied accordingly without affecting the supporting action on the top rolls 11 by the pressure plates. As has been explained above, the spacing of the top and bottom rolls in. each pair is critical for maximum efficiency.

For instance, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2',

which is typical of the horizontal and vertical roll spacing employed in a plurailty. of drawing rolls, the. vertical spacing in each pair of rolls is progressively decreased in the direction of sliver movement for the most efiicient drawing action. Consequently, pressure plates 39 of progressively decreasing thickness have been employed so that this spacing may be readily obtained in a highly accurate manner without modification of the other parts of the roll support. By way of example, a reduction in thickness of 1 of an inch between successive pressure plates has given outstanding performance.

With the novel arrangement of the invention, a simple and inexpensive roll support has been ,provided for the top and bottom drawing rolls in a drawing frame or the like which is capable of prolonged operation without excessive wear and thereby eliminates misalignment of the rolls with use. The minimum vertical spacing between the top and bottom'rolls may be predetermined in a simpleand easy manner by means of the bearing or pressure plates of the invention. Thus, the top rolls 11 may rise and fall with variations in thickness and/or density of the slivers passing between the top and bottom rolls 11, 12., but the top rolls are prevented from occupying positions any closer to respective bottom rolls than permitted by the bearing plates 39. The weight of the top rolls 11 is thus normally transmitted to the roll stands independent of the bottom rolls 12; i.e., independent of the bottom roll necks 20, in particular. This readily obtainable minimum vertical roll spacing is of prime importance in a' drawing arrangement such as shown herein where the vertical spacing of successive pairs of and a high quality sliver may be produced as result of the accurate positioning of the top and bottom rolls. Presently available inexpensive parts common to present day drawing frames and the like may be modified in an inexpensive and simple manner to provide a construction in accordance with the invention. Thus, not only do the parts of the roll support of the invention reduce considerably the need for periodic maintenance and replacement, but the amount of power required to operate a drawing frame containing such a novel support is considerably reduced and the entire drawing frame operation is accomplished in a highly efficient manner.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A roll support for drawing frames and the like having axially aligned top and bottom rolls comprising in combination, a roll neck for connecting said bottom rolls in endwise relationship, a roll stand having an upwardly opening, U-shaped recess extending therethrough and having an arcuate bottom wall and a pair of substantially parallel, vertically extending side walls, said arcuate bottom wall being arranged to rotatably support said roll neck, a bearing on one end of said top rolls, a pair of substantially parallel flats on the outer surface of said bearing, a pair of oppositely disposed shoulders on said stand at each end of said recess above said arcuate bottom wall, an I-shaped pressure plate arranged to be positioned in a substantially horizontal plane within said recess on said shoulders in spaced apart relationship with said roll neck, said pressure plate being arranged to support said bearing in said recess with said flats snugly engaging said recess side walls to thereby position said top roll in a spaced relationship with said bottom roll, said spaced relationship being determined by the thickness of said plate.

2. A roll support for drawing frames and the like having axially aligned top and bottom drafting rolls between which textile slivers pass, comprising, in combination, a roll neck connecting said bottom rolls in endwise relationship, a roll stand, said roll stand having a recess therein for rotatably supporting said roll neck in frictional engagement therewith, corresponding ends of axially aligned top rolls being positioned for vertical movement in said recess, and support means supported on said stand within said recess for supporting said corresponding ends of the top rolls independent of the bottom rolls and for rotation with said bottom rolls, said support means serving to maintain said top rolls in a predetermined minimum spaced relationship above respective bottom rolls.

3. A roll support in accordance with claim 2 wherein said recess is U-shaped and wherein the arcuate bottom wall of said U-shaped recess provides a bearing surface for rotatably supporting said roll neck in frictional engagement therewith.

4. A roll support in accordance with claim 3 including a shoulder on said bottom rolls at each end of said roll neck engageable with said roll stand for axially positioning said roll neck in said recess.

5. A roll support for drawing frames and the like having axially aligned top and bottom rolis comprising, in combination, a roll neck connecting said bottom rolls in endwise relationship, a roll stand, said roli stand having a recess therein for rotatably supporting said roll neck in frictional engagement therewith, hearings on the proximal ends of adjacent top rolls, said bearings being vertically movable in said recess, and means supported on said stand in spaced apart relationship with said roll neck and independent of the respective bottom rolls and said roll neck for supporting said bearings and for positioning said top rolls in a predetermined minimum spaced relationship above said bottom rolls.

6. A roll support for drawing frames and the like having axially aligned top and bottom rolls comprising, in combination, a roll neck for connecting said bottom rolls in endwise relationship, a roll stand having a recess therein for rotatably supporting said roll neck in frictional engagement therewith and for loosely receiving an end portion of at least one of said top rolls, a pressure plate, and means for supporting said pressure plate in said recess in spaced apart relationship above said roll neck whereby said pressure plate is arranged to support said end portion in a predetermined spaced relationship above and independent of said neck.

7. A roll support for drawing frames and the like having axially aligned bottom rolls and axially aligned, weighted, top rolls comprising, in combination, a roll neck for connecting said bottom rolls in endwiseirelationship, a roll stand provided with a recess therein for rotatably supporting said roll neck, a bearing on each of proximal ends of adjacent top rolls and being vertically movable in said recess, a flat pressure plate, means on said stand for supporting said pressure plate independent of the respective bottom rolls and within said recess in a substantially horizontal plane and in spaced apart, overlying relationship with said roll neck, and said pressure plate being arranged to support said top roll bearings and preventing said top rolls from moving closer than a predetermined spaced relationship above respective bottom rolls. 7

8. A roll support for drawing frames and the like having axially aligned top and bottom rolls comprising, in combination, a roll neck for connecting said bottom rolls in endwise relationship, a roll stand provided with a recess therein for rotatably supporting said roll neck, a bearing on one end of said top rolls, a flat pressure plate, shoulder means on said stand, saidshoulder means being arranged to support said pressure plate within said recess in a substantially horizontal plane and in spaced apart, overlying relationship with said roll neck, and said pressure plate being arranged to support said top roll bearing and position said top roll in a predetermined spaced relationship with its associated bottom roll.

9. A roll support for drawing frames and the like having axially aligned top and bottom rolls comprising, in combination, a roll neck for connecting said bottom rolls in endwise relationship, a plurality of successively spaced roll stands each arranged to support one end of a pair of top and bottom rolls, each of said stands having a recess therein forming a bearing surface for rotatably supporting one of said roll necks, said end of the top roll being vertically movable within the recess of the respective stand, a flat pressure plate associated with each of said stands, and means for supporting a pressure plate on its associated stand in spaced apart relationship with said roll neck and independent of the respective bottom roll whereby said pressure plates are arranged to support corresponding ends of said top rolls in predetermined spaced relationship above said bottom rolls.

10. A roll support for textile apparatus having rotating top and bottom drafting rolls between which textile material is passed and at least one end of each bottom roll having a roll neck thereon, said support comprising a roll stand for each neck and having a recess therein on the bottom of which said neck is rotatably and frictionally supported, an end of a respective top roll being guided for vertical movement in said recess above said neck, and supporting means carried by each roll stand for supporting said top roll end independent of the respective bottom roll and roll neck. a

11. A roll support according to claim 10, wherein said rolls and stands are successively arranged, said supporting means consisting of a separate plate for each stand, all

the stands having shoulders thereon spaced a uniform distance above the bottom of the respective recess and upon which said plates are positioned, and at least one of the plates being of different thickness than another of said plates.

10 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS- 

